FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT TEAM UNITY - PAGE 3

GAINESVILLE -- Like every player on Florida`s humbled defense, senior tackle Tony McCoy has asked himself some serious questions in the wake of last Saturday`s defeat at Syracuse. Did he perform to his capabilities? Did he let his teammates down? Did he quit? The honest, painful truth actually began sweeping over him the moment he walked off the field after the 38-21 defeat. "I realized when I stepped off that field that I hadn`t given it my all," McCoy said. "I felt embarrassed and humiliated.

No matter which team he signs with, be thankful for this: Deion Sanders is bringing this coast-to-coast tour _ otherwise known as America's most publicized ego trip _ to a merciful close. At each stop, Prime Time has stroked the locals with lots of talk about how their particular city and team seem so suited for his personality and football skills. The handful of teams _ including the Dolphins _ that Sanders has expressed interest in have been tripping over themselves to figure out a way to sign him while staying under the salary cap. This is understandable.

When Rona Small gathered her Pioneer Middle School girls' softball team before the season began, she said knew she had something special. "The girls were just a team from the minute they walked out on the field," Small said. Pioneer has capitalized on that team unity to produce a 5-0 record. The team has relied on the pitching of Katie Bell, a backup last year who has stepped up to start this year. "She's an outstanding athlete," Small said. Another pitcher who has paced Pioneer is Dana Webb.

The postseason awards are starting to roll in for Palm Beach Gardens quarterback Eric Kresser. Kresser, considered one of the best high school quarterbacks in the country, was named the District 17 Most Valuable Player and Top Offensive Player by the district`s coaches. The district encompasses Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. He`s also nominated, with every senior on the squad, for the North-South and Georgia-Florida all-star games. Kresser finished with 1,893 yards passing, which ranked him seventh in the state.

The girls` track team at St. Thomas High School runs for fun. In fact, the fun is probably one reason for this year`s success and possible good fortunes for the near future. But fun wasn`t the only reason. Hard work and motivation also were keys along with numbers, says second-year coach Larry Treadwell. "Our success at St. Thomas this year was due largely to the fact that we had plenty of athletes who came out for track. They were all willing to work hard and improve. "We have some quality, but mostly we got the best from the girls that we could," Treadwell said.

COOPER CITY -- They play with the intensity of their children, only they`re not as limber. Now, after 1 1/2 years of competition, they know almost as much about the sport as their kids. Maybe more. "We started the Cooper City Over-30 Women`s Soccer League for one reason, and that was to teach the mothers whose kids play here the rules," said league organizer and commissioner Carl Deane of Davie. "A lot of the mothers didn`t know much about the sport at all when we started, so we figured the best way to teach them was to get them on the field."

Players on the Florida Bible Christian High School baseball team know that the number of hits they get on the field isn't as important as being a hit with fellow students and God. "Baseball is an individual sport, but every player must understand they must give 100 percent to the Man upstairs," coach Tommy Martinez said. "There's no doubt these guys can walk, talk, throw and were gifted with a good body. It's a matter of knowing that they have an opportunity to play for the team, but for the Lord as well."

There`s a Connecticut Yankee in the Gators` midfield. His name is Kevin Cornish and he`s one of the main reasons Palm Beach Gardens is among the county`s soccer elite. Gardens is ranked third in District 12-4A behind No.1 Spanish River (8-0-0, 10-1-1 overall) and Jupiter (5-1-1, 7-1-2). Cornish moved to Florida from Newton, Conn,.about a year ago after his father, John, took a job as vice president of Tropical Shipping in Riviera Beach. Gardens coach Brian Killeen, whose team is 13-3-1 (as of Jan. 14)

Ron Schulz has coached wrestling at Nova High for the past 20 years. Instead of easing off the accelearator, he's got the program racing toward its best season ever. The Titans are 13-4 going into the final matches against Miramar, one of the county's top teams, and South Broward on Feb. 2. The 13 wins match Nova's best season to date, 1996-97 when Nova won the county tournament. With two matches left, Nova has the opportunity to have its winningest season. The Titans are paced by the senior leadership of Vince Manzo, Josh Goldstein and Sean Waesco.

PEMBROKE PINES -- Winning a Hollywood Optimist Football League divisional championship is one thing. Overwhelming and dominating every opponent on the schedule is something else. Only the strong teams from Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties make it in the HOFL. And probably the strongest of the strong is Pasadena Lakes in Pembroke Pines -- especially the city`s 115-pounders made up of players 11 to 13 years old. If winners deserve some bragging rights, Pasadena Lakes` 115-pounders should be allowed to continue boasting long past Christmas.